Advice please

[Mikamoo2]

Hi I currently have Pericarditis. This is my 4th week into the illness & rather than feeling better I am in more pain. I do not know anyone else eho has had this & just wondered if this in normal to feel worse before getting better. I had Myocarditis 4 years ago & this feels very similar.

[chevidaniels]

Hi Mikamoo,

My partner has had this several times and each time it's so different, most recently he had it thought he was on the road to recovery and three weeks in it seemed to peak and get worse before it got better. I think it's always worth I consulting a Doctor if anything is not improving after some time and you have been advised it should. I think because this condition is associated with extreme Chest pain it can be quiet scary but you know your body listen to it, if the pain feels like it's changed or is unbearable you should seek medical Advice . It's really hard to know when the pericarditis has cleared up as its a gradual thing. My partner was always worried the doctors might misdiagnose him but pericarditis has quiet specific symptoms and is normally traceable on an ECG reading. I hope you feel better soon, paracetamol and anti inflammatory meds are what's usually used to treat it though my partner had to ask the doc for stronger pain killers and he was ok once

On them he said the pain was unbearable so I can only

Sympathise with you 4 weeks in rest up x

[Mikamoo2 in reply to chevidaniels]

Thank you so much for your reply I am only taking paracetamol & rest. I was told I cant take anti inflammatorys as when I had my previous Myocarditis my stomach lining was slightly damaged with the meds. I am really low at the moment cant get out even pottering around the house is a struggle so your words helped at least I can see there is a light at the end of the tunnel x

[Fortepiano]

I also recommend going back to your doctor, as in any case where things are getting worse rather than better. I have had pericarditis a few times, a couple of years ago and remember how painful it was, but it only lasted a few days each time and responded well to ibuprofen. The second line treatment if ibuprofen doesn't work is colchicine, so if you're not on that already it could be worth trying.

The chest pain is stressful - mine felt exactly like my previous unstable angina, but because it was worse lying down ( no sleep!) and better leaning forward and hugging my knees, I could tell it was pericarditis and feel more reassured. But your having had previous myocarditis is another reason for you to go back and get it checked out.

[Mikamoo2]

Thank you for your reply. The chest pain is stressful & I feel anxious most of the time. I have never really felt completely better from when I had Myocarditis but it worries me as everyone says laying down with Pericarditis is worse & mine feels a little easier? I think I will go back to the doctor. Thank you it helps to talk to someone who has had this x

[Emily_BHF]

Hi Mikamoo2,

I am sorry to hear that you are in pain and still suffering like this. For pericarditis you'll usually be prescribed anti-inflammatory painkillers (I appreciate you said this wasn't the case for you), and you should feel better within 1 to 2 weeks.

I would recommend discussing this further with your doctor as you should be feeling better and they will need to try a different course of treatment for you.

Take care,

Emily

[Mikamoo2 in reply to Emily_BHF]

Hi thank you I have rung my gp surgery this morning & am awaiting a telephone consultation as there are no appointments for 2 weeks x

[Kiernan81]

Hi,

I currently have pericarditis too. I am a 36 year old female. I have had chest pains on/off since Oct 2017 which were dismissed as anxiety. I have presented myself to a&e on average about once every 2 weeks with symptoms. Eventually I had an echocardiogram 2 weeks ago which picked up pericarditis with some fluid being present. I have been prescribed colchicine which I don’t feel have helped any.

I was again at a&e 2 days ago with chest pain and they have prescribed strong 30/500 co-codamol which I can’t really take as I am a single mum with 2 children and the painkillers leave me very woozy.

This condition has left me extremely anxious and I’m now having anxiety attacks and I’m extremely worried each time I have these chest pains. I see cardiologist again next month but my gp can’t offer any time scale of if and when this will resolve itself. 😢

[Mikamoo2]

Hi so sorry to hear its awful I know what your going through. I too had been told it was anxiety as since my previous diagnosis of Myocarditis I have been anxious but I knew somthing just wasnt right & hasnt been since. My anxiety levels are off the scale now more so at the moment as my partner has a heavy cold & the cardiologist told me I will repeatedly get Pericarditis as he thinks a cold is what caused mine initially. I am constantly disinfecting door handles, light switches etc my hands are so sore. I am physically a little better though but I have literally done nothing for the last 4 weeks I think rest is the key but I guess this will be difficult for you with small children mine are grown up. Try rest as much as you can & though easier said than done try not to worry I read somewhere that stress makes it worse. I really hope you feel better soon & please keep in touch talking to someone who is going through the same hopefully we can help each other.